5-year-old girl killed in Bradenton hit and run

MANATEE -- Florida Highway Patrol troopers were investigating a vehicle that might have been involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a 5-year-old girl Monday evening, according to a FHP spokesman.

A vehicle matching the description of car involved in the accident was in the parking lot of the Mira Lago apartments in Bradenton. It was towed away by FHP about 3 p.m. for a complete inspection of the car.

No arrests have been made.

Kimora Samuel was fatally injured at 6:03 p.m. when she and a 15-year-old were struck by a car while they were trying cross, from west to east, U.S. 41 just south of 34th Avenue East. The car that hit them had been turning left out of the driveway at the Mira Lago apartments, 358 34th Ave. E., according to a FHP report.

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Several possible suspect vehicles, including a dark-green Kia at Mira Lago apartments, have been located, said Lt. Chris Miller of the Florida Highway Patrol.

"We have troopers scouring the area and following up on leads," Miller said. "We do need the public's help."

Kimora was a kindergarten student at Orange Ridge-Bullock Elementary School, a few blocks from where she was killed. Kimora had just left the school, where she was participating in the 21st Century after-school tutoring and enrichment program.

The injured 15-year-old is a student at Southeast High School, said Margi Nanney, Manatee School District spokeswoman. The teen's relation to Kimora is unclear, she said.

Crisis counselors are working at Orange Ridge today, and are on-call at Southeast, Nanney said.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or the driver can call contact Cpl. Carroll at 941-751-7647, ext 100.